Merry Christmas from the f****n' Middle East, everyone!
Being over here and seeing the conditions and values here really let one appreciate how good we have it back in the States. We have the separation of church and state when it comes to the governing of our great nation. But people forget that the US was built upon Christian values and as a Christian country in which people of all faiths are welcome to live in harmony. Here, everything is run by the Qaran first to make sure it won't conflict with what Mohammad said. If you think about it, Muslim countries constitute the longest running dictatorship in history. Everyone here is mostly concerned with making sure they have a place in heaven and it shows. The terrestrial plane of existence seems to be an afterthought to whatever they do. One can see it just by looking around at the countryside and on their bases. I walk around and see litter and pollution everywhere, until I step on a US base. It seems to be a land of selfishness and hypocrisy (far more than we exhibit, anyway). Here, "men are for pleasure and women are for breeding" (to hell with that!). Women are second class citizens here, and Kuwait is a very progressive and moderate country in terms of middle eastern countries. It is in these islands of American thought, called Camps or bases, that I am filled with a sense of pride in the American way.
This all helps put today in perspective. I thank God for the good fortune of being born an American, and living among the finest people like you. I'm thankful to be from a country that treats all individuals as equals (and allows women to be beautiful). My family and friends, my neighbors and countrymen, and the most powerful nation on earth would not exist if it weren't for the teachings of Christ and the brilliance of our Forefathers to set up a government built on those teachings. Today, I would rather be home amongst all of you fine people than here, but I realize that while my job isn't glamorous or exciting, it is necessary to protect all that I love. And for that opportunity, I am grateful. You are all worth it.
So, Merry Christmas to all of you I hold so dear. Celebrate the birth of the man whose life and death set the events in motion that led us here. Raise two glasses (one for you and one for me since this is a dry country), and drink a toast to the J-man! And then drink another for all of our fine Allies like the Aussies and the Brits since they're here too!
Being over here and seeing the conditions and values here really let one appreciate how good we have it back in the States. We have the separation of church and state when it comes to the governing of our great nation. But people forget that the US was built upon Christian values and as a Christian country in which people of all faiths are welcome to live in harmony. Here, everything is run by the Qaran first to make sure it won't conflict with what Mohammad said. If you think about it, Muslim countries constitute the longest running dictatorship in history. Everyone here is mostly concerned with making sure they have a place in heaven and it shows. The terrestrial plane of existence seems to be an afterthought to whatever they do. One can see it just by looking around at the countryside and on their bases. I walk around and see litter and pollution everywhere, until I step on a US base. It seems to be a land of selfishness and hypocrisy (far more than we exhibit, anyway). Here, "men are for pleasure and women are for breeding" (to hell with that!). Women are second class citizens here, and Kuwait is a very progressive and moderate country in terms of middle eastern countries. It is in these islands of American thought, called Camps or bases, that I am filled with a sense of pride in the American way.
This all helps put today in perspective. I thank God for the good fortune of being born an American, and living among the finest people like you. I'm thankful to be from a country that treats all individuals as equals (and allows women to be beautiful). My family and friends, my neighbors and countrymen, and the most powerful nation on earth would not exist if it weren't for the teachings of Christ and the brilliance of our Forefathers to set up a government built on those teachings. Today, I would rather be home amongst all of you fine people than here, but I realize that while my job isn't glamorous or exciting, it is necessary to protect all that I love. And for that opportunity, I am grateful. You are all worth it.
So, Merry Christmas to all of you I hold so dear. Celebrate the birth of the man whose life and death set the events in motion that led us here. Raise two glasses (one for you and one for me since this is a dry country), and drink a toast to the J-man! And then drink another for all of our fine Allies like the Aussies and the Brits since they're here too!